Natural Soap vs. Commercial Soap (What's The Difference?)

August 13, 2018

Had a rough day outdoors? Been in the sun all weekend and skin is dry?

You arrive home, and the first thing you want to do is grab a shower and a rugged soap to clean up - but many people don’t realize that cleansing with cheap, harsh, skin care products can actually create further damage to your biggest organ – your skin.

Sure, you want to cleanse off the dirt, bacteria, and pollutants your skin comes into contact with - but you don't want to replace that dirt with chemicals that can be absorbed into the body.

Commercial soap you'll find on your stores shelves may include:

Parabens: These unnecessary ingredients are found in majority of commercial soap and beauty products and act as chemical preservatives (extend shelf life)

Phthalates: This additive (known to be linked to several cancers) is often used as a ‘plasticizer’- an ingredient used to produce plastic.

Petrochemicals: Made from petroleum, these chemicals should be considered unsafe for humans because little is known about the longterm effects they have on our health.

Synthetic Perfume: Artificial perfume scents, although they smell nice, are linked to allergies and hormonal issues. As well, synthetic ingredients such as perfume are likely to cause skin conditions and to aggravate existing issues such as acne.

(Note: you will see "Parfume" on some of our labels. This is due to French/English labelling restrictions in Canada. All of the scents used in our "Parfume's" are derived from natural oils, and are not synthetic.)

Artificial Colouring: Love that funky design in your soap bar? Like your soap to glow in the dark? Well, double check the labels. Commercial soaps are packed with artificial dyes that have been known to cause health problems and illnesses in humans.

Natural Soap Includes:

Healthy Oils: It might seem counterintuitive - using oils to remove excess oils? Despite common belief – oil is actually an important ingredient in soap, especially for those with oily or acne prone skin. Oils like coconut oil, grapeseed oil, or olive oil help to nourish and moisturize skin and bring it back to its natural PH levels.

Essential Oils: These oils can be combined and used to create aroma and scent, naturally. They are harmless to the skin, provide additional moisturizing properties, and are safe against most allergies / sensitivities.

Kelp, Aloe, Charcoal, etc.: Natural soaps are made with organic, biodegradable ingredients that are harvested, produced, or sourced in a safe and conscious way. Unlike chemical ingredients, a consumer can easily understand what these ingredients are and how their body will react to them. (Learn how our products are infused with raw, locally harvested Sea Kelp from the shores of Nova Scotia - Click "Sea Kelp" in the top page menu)

How are they made?

Commercial soaps are mass produced by large multinational companies, with factories all over the globe.

This mass-production can result in environmental waste and degradation as well as poor living conditions for thousands of people worldwide. Most consumers remain oblivious to the working conditions and cleanliness of the factories their soap is made in.

These soaps are made by machine and utilize added preservatives to extend shelf life once the soap hits the stores shelves.

Natural soaps are often produced locally, or in smaller batches, with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Natural soap production can benefit small communities financially and also has a very minimal carbon footprint.

Hand-made, natural soaps are rising in popularity due to the fact that it's becoming an artisanal craft, and each bar can be made with care using traditional methods (we use the "cold process method" of curing each and every bar for weeks before it hits shelves - which helps create a denser soap and extends the life of the bar for the consumer).

If a soap company is only interested in making money, they usually won’t commit themselves to natural soap-making due to higher production costs for mass-producing. For this reason, most natural soap lines are consciously created by people who are passionate about health and the environment.

Also in Nova Scotia Fisherman - Captains Skin Care Blog

We all know mothers who have positively impacted our own lives or the lives of those around us. All too often we get caught up in the day to day, and sometimes forget to offer those who care for us, appreciation.

What better way to say "thank you" than the gift that keeps on giving - healthy skin.

The changing seasons - sensitive skin’s friend or enemy. Changes in humidity, temperature, sun exposure, and wind can have a significant impact on your body’s biggest organ - your skin. For those of us with sensitive skin, or who suffer from a condition like rosacea, eczema, or psoriasis, preventing skin care issues during seasonal changes can be difficult.